Description
We sit down with Scott Cornell, Executive Vice President with SPG Cargo and Logistics, to talk about cargo theft, supply chain security, and the growing risks facing carriers, brokers, shippers, and drivers. Scott explains why cargo theft is difficult to measure, how organized crime groups target freight, and why the real cost often goes far beyond the value listed on the bill of lading.
Scott also discusses how cargo theft has changed since 2020, including the rise of strategic theft, double brokering, email intrusion, identity fraud, and new tactics that can pull legitimate carriers and drivers into a theft without them realizing it. He also explains why straight theft, pilferage, and targeted commodity theft remain major concerns across the industry.
Scott discusses:
- Why reported cargo theft numbers only show part of the problem, and how losses can include market value, contracts, investigations, insurance, reputation, and replacement costs
- How strategic theft differs from straight theft, including double brokering, Trojan drivers, email compromise, fictitious pickups, and other deception-based methods
- Why pilferage, high-value tech loads, food and beverage, metals, seafood, autos, and other commodities are being targeted in specific regions and lanes
- How carriers, brokers, and shippers can reduce risk by slowing down, verifying contacts, training drivers, using stronger locks and tracking, monitoring carrier identity, and building a response plan before a theft happens
This episode is a practical look at one of the trucking industry's most expensive and fast-changing security threats. Scott shows why prevention starts with awareness, good procedures, better verification, and a clear plan for what to do when something does not feel right.
00:57: Welcome Scott Cornell
4:40: How Much Is Stolen Per Day?
8:47: Why Is the Transportation Industry an Easy Target?
10:14: How Has Cargo Theft Evolved Over the Years?
14:36: Spotlight: Mack Shop
15:17: The Different Kinds of Cargo Theft
25:43: Reporting Cargo Theft
29:23: How Does Stolen Cargo Makes its Way Back into the Market?
36:05: Did You Know? Dial A Truck
37:00: How Do We Prevent Cargo Theft
41:57: Hot Items for Theft
52:39: Digital Resources to Help Prevent Cargo Theft
What's next?
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